Page 6 of Aperture

”I’d like that.” I’m feeling courageous, so I add, “I was hoping you would have asked the day we met.”

I hand him my phone, and he enters his number.

“I wanted to,” he replies. “But you were working, and it just didn’t seem the right time.”

I nod in understanding since I had the same thought.

“I’m happy I ran into you today. I hope to hear from you soon,” he says with a smile. Leaning down, he wraps me in a hug, and I can’t help but notice how amazing he smells, spicy like cinnamon and rugged like the outdoors.

I close my eyes for a brief moment and just inhale his masculine scent. Too soon for my liking, he breaks the hug, smiles, turns, and walks off into the crowd.

I walk around aimlessly for several more minutes smelling candles, perusing the other fruit and vegetable vendors, and saying hello to people. Being a very friendly person by nature, I like to make connections within the community.

I’m still thinking about Theo, my head in the clouds when I bump into a large man who was definitely not there a second ago. He puts his hands on my shoulders to steady me and it takes me by surprise.

“I’m so sorry,” I tell him, my voice flustered.

“It’s no problem,” the good-looking guy answers, sliding his gaze up and down my body. It doesn’t seem like he’s being sleazy or anything, but it doesn’t produce the same type of warm feelings I got when Theo did it.

“My mind was completely elsewhere,” I shift my eyes to avoid this stranger’s gaze.

He nods, slowly releasing my shoulders. “Which way are you headed now?” he asks.

“Oh, um. I’m just on my way to meet my boyfriend.” I have no idea what made me say that, but I decide to run with it, stepping back out of his reach. “Have a great evening, and sorry again about bumping into you.”

With a smile, I turn around and begin to walk away.

“Be careful,” he calls after me.

I glance over my shoulder at him, wondering why he would say that, but he just dips his chin, puts his hands in his pockets, and walks in the opposite direction. That was a little strange, but it is true that there is someone out there targeting women. A cold shiver runs down my spine at that thought so I turn my mind back to Theo and how bright his eyes got when he popped that jalapeno into his mouth. It brings a smile to my face and with that thought, I walk back to my car.

◆◆◆

Standing under the cover of a large tree, I watch her laugh as he says something that is probably fucking stupid, but he’s good-looking and charming, so she eats up everything he says.

I wish I could go to her now, grab her, and pull her away, but it is not the right time, so I study her more closely.

She is beautiful. Blonde, pale skin, big blue eyes. She looks like actual, fucking sunlight. Definitely my type.

She’s short, maybe 5’3”, and would be easy enough to overpower. She would not stand a chance.

My hand twitches at my side, and my brain tells me to act now, but I know I need to wait. I tamp down my urges. I need to know what I am dealing with here.

I’m good at what I do because I’m thorough and patient, working my way into people’s lives if the need arises. It’s a skill I have had to perfect over time.

If I act too fast, it can ruin everything. This is too important to rush.

I make a few notes and tuck my notebook into the black satchel I’m carrying. I make a habit of taking it so that I can hide my camera and binoculars. Now that I have seen this interaction, I know I need to move soon.

I watch him walk away, and the little blonde strolls around for a few more minutes, browsing and speaking to several people, blowing off one guy before heading back toward the restaurant parking lot. Once she is out of sight, I disappear into the crowd unnoticed.

Chapter 4

“In what appears to be the third killing in the past year, the Sierra Falls Police Department has identified a third victim, 28-year-old Renee Ferguson, of Seaside. Ms. Ferguson was reported missing by her boss approximately three days ago when she failed to show up for her second shift in a row and could not be reached. She was discovered in her apartment. Sources tell us she was found naked with a scarf around her neck, the signature of what the media has dubbed the Sierra Falls Strangler. Officials with the Sierra Falls Police Department have refused to comment and the case is ongoing…”

“Sierra Falls Strangler. What a stupid fucking name. Turn that shit off,” Captain Altmeyer yells. His voice is hoarse from smoking cigarettes and chewing the ass of guys like me for too many years. He grabs his tie and yanks it to the side, loosening the knot and exhaling loudly.

“Can someone fucking explain to me how the media is getting information on this case?” He looks around the room, unimpressed. “You guys couldn’t find your own asses with a ten-man search party, you know that?” I almost laugh because for the most part, he’s right.